Omaha Bryan sophomore A’mare Bynum’s recruitment changed drasticlly Monday night when Nebraska offered the 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward, his first Division I offer.
“I’m excited,” Bynum said of the NU offer. “It’s something I’ve worked my whole life for.”
Bynum, who plays AAU for Kansas City based Mokan Elite just finished the second NCAA Live Period in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday.
It wasn’t just his play on the court in Phoenix but the intangibles that Nebraska assistant coach Nate Loenser and head coach Fred Hoiberg liked when they watched.
“He (Loenser) said I have been developing well as a player,” Bynum said. “He loves my character and how I have eye contact with my teammates and coaches.”
The Nebraska relationship isn’t new to Bynum. He attended three games in Lincoln last season and has been in contact with the NU staff, particularly Loenser, in the last year.
“I’ve had a relationship with them for a while,” Bynum said of NU. “Coach Loenser first started talking to me in the fall and I went to a couple of games to watch them play this season and had a fun time.”
The Monday morning conversation with Loenser felt different for Bynum even though he didn’t know what to expect.
“I called coach Loenser in the morning, and he said I played great this past weekend and to call him at six so I could talk Hoiberg. I talked with coach Hoiberg and he said they wanted to offer me and I was happy.”
Bynum isn’t a new last name to the basketball community in Omaha. His father, Omar, graduated from Omaha North and played collegiately at Iowa State (2001-2003) before playing professionally overseas.
NU may not be the last school to offer the 6-8 Bynum. His skillset is unique for a player of his size. He can play in the post with his back to the basket and stretch the floor offensively. His length also fits the mold of what a Power Conference player looks like.
Creighton, Oregon State, Colorado, Colorado State and most of the Summit League schools have shown early interest but have yet to offer.
